Elms College increases police patrols in wake of armed robbery in Chicopee

File photo by John Suchocki / The RepublicanElms College in Chicopee, seen in this file photo, is taking new steps to increase security on campus in the wake of last weekend's armed robbery, which happened just outside the campus gates.

CHICOPEE - Elms College has increased police patrols on campus in wake of last Saturday's armed robbery, and is also exploring other safety initiatives.

Two freshmen female students and a female friend were robbed at gunpoint by two men on Springfield Street just outside the gates of the private Catholic college around 11:45 p.m. Saturday. Police are still investigating the incident and have made no arrests.

In the meantime, Chicopee police are now patrolling the campus, while the college has leased an additional security vehicle, said Russell S. Powell, public relations officer at Elms. The college also met with Chicopee Electric Light on Friday and plans to meet again Wednesday to determine what additional lighting will be added to street poles.

"We've talked to Chicopee Electric Light for additional lighting along the front of the campus," Powell said.

Chicopee Police Chief John R. Ferraro Jr. said his department has offered to work with the college on its security plans. Powell said Elms has an unarmed campus safety unit and uses security services in the dormitories at night.

"We've always had a presence there, but we're asking them to make more stops there. We're working with them," Ferraro said.

In addition, locks on the front door of Rose William residence hall have been changed and students have been given new keys. Safety whistles have also been purchased and will be distributed to all students.

The administration sent out an all-campus e-mail on Monday morning informing everyone about the incident. The college does have an emergency notification system it instituted in late summer, but chose not to use it. The system has never been used, and the college's security consultant will be on campus this coming week to help the college determine when the system should be activated, Powell said. The delay in getting information out to the students has been criticized by some.

"They have our emergency contact information, but they didn't use it," said sophomore Brittaney L. Garner, of North Adams. "I think it's terrible I had to learn about it from my roommate."

Freshman Ashley M. LeClair, of Windsor Locks, said the college could have handled the situation better.

"I wish they had used the system they had," LeClair said. "I think they could have gone about it in a better way, in terms of letting people know."

Powell said the college chose not to use its messaging system because staff members were concerned about students on campus and the incident occurred just off campus. Dormitory staff were told to inform students leaving dorms on Sunday about what happened. In addition, "Chicopee police maintained from the outset that this was an isolated incident" and the campus was safe and secure, Powell said.

The administration held informational safety meetings on Monday and Tuesday, which were attended by a about 250 to 300 students and staff members.

"A number of suggestions were made by students and staff that we're looking into," Powell said. "We're exploring offering self-defense and training, for example. We're reviewing building by building and seeing what we need to do to update our security."

The three young women were not hurt in the robbery. A wallet and cell phone were among the items taken.

Chicopee police this week said another incident that occurred earlier that night could be connected with the armed robbery. Police said two men matching the same description robbed a Domino's Pizza delivery man who was delivering a pizza in the Springfield Street area of $15.

Anyone with information about the robberies should contact the Chicopee Police Department's detective bureau at (413) 594-1730.